In This Issue....
Always Personal...Ladybugs, pennies & nails.
Always Professional...Balance Matters book.
Forever Playful...Kids are fun!
Brent O'Bannon, MBS
(Author, Speaker, Counselor/Coach)
What do ladybugs, pennies, and nails have in common?
In my morning quiet times I've been reading a book by Laurie Beth Jones entitled, "Jesus Life Coach." She tells a story of when she was a little girl struggling with rejection and feeling unloved. She loved ladybugs and told God if He really loved her to please send a ladybug. At that moment a ladybug landed on her arm. She continued sharing how the ladybug became a tangible sign of God's love for her in difficult situations. Even in one winter when she was stranded in a blizzard she prayed for God's help and love and a ladybug blew into her coat.
Laurie also shared of a friend of hers who believed every time he found a penny it was God showing in a visible tangible way that he was thinking of him and loved him.
Being inspired by these stories I started praying for a visible sign that God could secretly (I guess it's not secret now) show me his love. After one of my counseling sessions I was renewing my spirit, getting some sunshine, and walking around the block. I was talking with God and asked for some sign that He loved me. At that moment I looked down on the ground and there was a nail. I picked it up and excitedly said, Yeah that's it! Jesus demonstrated his love by being nailed to the cross. Every time I find a nail that is my secret sign from God. I continued walking and within minutes I found another nail that was totally different from the first. Finally I was about to enter my outer office door and there was again another totally different nail. Three unique nails in a matter of ten minutes. Wow! I'm thinking Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You may be thinking this spiritual experience is silly but in psychological terms I had a peak experience! I felt connected with God, connected with my self, and connected with the world around me.
Three weeks from this experience, I was walking (again to keep the balance) and was feeling frustrated, alone, and bent out of shape. I was walking and talking with God when I looked down and there was a bent nail. I felt like God was telling me that he loves me even when I'm bent out of shape.
Do you feel rejected, unloved, or bent out of shape? Do you take time to balance your physical, mental, social, and spiritual life? What could be your secret sign between you and God that demonstrates His love?
Now you know what ladybugs, pennies, and nails have in common.
Call 903-819-0301 or Email Brent now for counseling, speaking or life coaching!
Many of you have been asking me about my soon coming book, "Balance Matters: 300 Life Balance Tips!"
It was approximately one year ago at the National Speakers conference that I made a commitment to finish the book. The process feels like a pregnancy (at least what I remember from my wife's). The cover design is being completed this week and the book is going to the printing presses within two weeks. Folks, we are in the pushing and birthing stage! If I seem stressed, short, and breathing hard it's because I'm in intensive labor getting this book out.
Thanks for all of your support! Hopefully we will be passing out cigars real soon.
This month I was reminded how fun kids are!
What a blast to speak to 170 kids at Cigna's "Bring Your Child to Work Day" and two hundred kids at the "Chinese Youth Leadership Camp" at Austin College. Children and teenagers make you laugh and smile.
Even today while having lunch with a new friend, I smiled as she shared her stories playing with her grandchildren. I could relate when this past weekend I danced with my daughter with great joy.
Take time this month to play with your kids, your grandkids, and any child who is starving for a playful adult.
The places I went...
July17 Chinese Youth Leadership Camp - The Friendship Factor
July 19 Chinese Youth Leadership Camp - Balance Matters in Leadership
July 24 Tyco - Coping with work stress
July 26 Cigna - Your Winning Attitude
July 26 Tyco - Coping with work stress
- Do you have a question or comment for Brent?
- Do you or someone you know need counseling or coaching?
- Do you or your organization need a speaker/training workshop?
- What topics would you like Brent to write about in upcoming issues?
View Brent's resources at www.brentspeaks.com